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Old Technology Still Cool
By Larry Hendrick | July 1, 2005
Starting at an early age, I can remember some of the different technology items and my fascination with them. I think cars became the first technology I remember admiring. The late fifties and early sixties were full of cars with character and fullness of lines. Anyone could recognize a Buick or a Ford Galaxy 500. They were not computer generated to look alike back then. Trains were really cool with their huge engines and churning wheels with all the drive mechanism and a caboose always followed at the end.
The fourth of July is Monday and we begin to think about all the reasons to celebrate our liberty and freedom in this country. It also conjures up thoughts of fireworks, and all the technology employed in the firework displays that will play out this weekend. Computers, timers, software programs specifically designed to coordinate the fireworks with a musical composition. WOW! But what I think most about is one of the oldest technologies still in use, the fireworks themselves. My history may be a little skewed, but I believe it was introduced by the Chinese a long, long, long time ago.
Can you imagine the first person to figure this one out. It would fit right up there with the first person to drink milk from a cow. “If I mix a little of this and set fire to it, maybe it will make something pretty.” Or maybe it will explode and kill you…
A little powder, a little fuse, a little fire and BOOM! or if more controlled, a FSWEEETH! (supposed to be bottle rocket sound).
One of the oldest technologies I know of that is still being used and improved upon every year.
Have a safe and happy 4th weekend.
Topics: Life, Technology |